Harrington Stretches Lead at Senior Open
Irishman targets rare Open-Senior Open double at Sunningdale
Las Vegas - Pádraig Harrington heads into the final round of the ISPS HANDA Senior Open with a two-stroke cushion as he bids to become only the fifth player in history to win both The Open and its Senior counterpart.
The 52-year-old followed up Friday’s 65 with another flawless 65 on Saturday at Sunningdale Golf Club, moving to 13 under par and ahead of fellow Open Champion Justin Leonard. Harrington, who lifted the Claret Jug in consecutive years at Carnoustie and Royal Birkdale, is seeking a second Senior Major of the season following his U.S. Senior Open triumph last month.
“I still wasn't comfortable,” said Harrington. “I thought I was getting better, but I certainly didn't play much better than yesterday. Maybe a little bit more cautious today.”
Harrington birdied the fourth and ninth before adding another at the 11th. A dropped shot on the 12th was quickly erased by back-to-back gains on 13 and 14, and he capped his round with a precise approach to three feet at the 18th, converting for his sixth birdie of the day.
Leonard, who won The Open at Royal Troon in 1997, matched Harrington’s 65 to sit two back at 11 under. Both men are vying to join Bob Charles, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Darren Clarke as the only players to capture both Open titles.
Denmark’s Thomas Bjørn is alone in third after a 67 moved him to 10 under. A cluster of four players share fourth at eight under: Steven Alker, Greg Chalmers, Clark Dennis and Kevin Sutherland.
Harrington knows Sunday will demand more of the same—and perhaps a few birdies to counter the inevitable missteps.
“I'm happy enough if I make some birdies tomorrow; that would be the goal,” he said. “There will be a few mistakes, but hopefully I'll make enough birdies to counteract that.”